Travel Questions and Advice

[Vitrea]

Now on to the most important topic for newbies to know: WiFi.

To get WiFi access you have to buy ETESCA cards. One hour or 5 hour. Each hour is 1 CUC. No discount for buying 5.

Fastest way to buy is at Ingleterra hotel. They are a reseller for ETESCA. Cards are same as the ones you get at ETESCA office on Obispo.

The WiFi hotspots I tried suck and they are overloaded with users, slow and motivate you to shoot yourself or kill somebody.

The ETESCA cards don't work in other fancy hotel hotspots. They have their own higher priced packages. Parque central is 4 CUC per hour but comes with a soft drink. You will spend more while having coffee at Inglaterra.

Meli Cohiba is 2 CUC per hour.

Airport is 1 CUC for 30 min card.

Changing Money. I took Canadian dollars and that saved me bunch of money. Most part of my trip was with a non mongering group. (Lickynuts, please don't laugh).

Airport change place always has long lines. Bank also takes time but at least I am not at the fucking airport sweating.

The most efficient place I found is on Obispo. They are crazy efficient for commies. I chatted a cute teller and she was glad to chat and take a break. She told me it is better to bring Canadian even if it costs 3% to buy Canadian in US it is worth it because of 10% surcharge on dollar and this is on top of 3% Cuban exchange cost. Basically you buy 87.5 CUC for 100 USD sold. By selling the $100 USD and buying Canadian in a US bank and then buying CUC, I got 95 CUC. Worth it if you are changing in thousands.

BTW, she also told me that there are serious discussions of eliminating CUC this year.

[Vitrea]

I by mistake posted some ETESCA card info on Havana forum which is more appropriate here. I will try to move it.

Someone suggested to use USD and try to "Navigate" and leverage the off market trading power of USD. That would be good info to have for long term mongers.

Totally agree with couple of you that said Cuba is hard and expensive. Arguing against that is like my friend from Siberian city saying he likes living in Siberia. He like is and thrives there does not mean that it is not Hard and expensive. Cuba works for few who have put time and effort into it. I got super lucky thanks to DiavelLoco.

Re apartments. I did find an Apartment for my mongering day with wifi. They are very few. I was told that you need some sort of back Chanel connection or bribe someone for a home owner to get wifi approved in their homes.

I have zero intention of taking part in an argument here. Just stating my observations.

[Bdb013]

You are so right. It's all about the approach. I have been to Cubs 13 times and have also been to Columbia. Havana, IMHO, hands down is better and definitely cheaper. I was just there for 8 days 2 weeks ago, and didn't pay more than 25 cuc for some badass girls, with beautiful faces, bodies, and juicy pussy! Can't wait to return in February!

I've been to Havana s few times as well as Colombia. I liked both places. Prices are cheaper in Colombia without the policia hassle.

[Chris H]

You overlook the unusual definition that the Cuban authorities use for "prostitution". Financially providing for ONE chica that provides you with sex is not treated as prostitution. Buy lunch for several, choose the best one for the duration of you're trip and you're legal and so is she. The Cuban authorities frown on quantity, not the exchange of sex for money. Cuba can be quite enjoyable if you approach it from a different perspective.

You are so right. It's all about the approach. I have been to Cubs 13 times and have also been to Columbia. Havana, IMHO, hands down is better and definitely cheaper. I was just there for 8 days 2 weeks ago, and didn't pay more than 25 cuc for some badass girls, with beautiful faces, bodies, and juicy pussy! Can't wait to return in February!

[TxSnake]

Again. If you read this forum and the Colombia forum it should be quite clear. Cuba is not at all an easy place to do anything, not cheap really, and most of what we talk about here is illegal there.

All of which is opposite in Colombia.

You overlook the unusual definition that the Cuban authorities use for "prostitution". Financially providing for ONE chica that provides you with sex is not treated as prostitution. Buy lunch for several, choose the best one for the duration of you're trip and you're legal and so is she. The Cuban authorities frown on quantity, not the exchange of sex for money. Cuba can be quite enjoyable if you approach it from a different perspective.

[Zeos1]

Thanks for the clarification on PM's.

I'm surprised you don't recommend Cuba for mongering. Seems like it has lots of potential, from what I've gathered.

What are some reasons that you don't recommend Cuba?

Conversely, why Colombia?

Again. If you read this forum and the Colombia forum it should be quite clear. Cuba is not at all an easy place to do anything, not cheap really, and most of what we talk about here is illegal there.

All of which is opposite in Colombia.

[Tank Not Mt]

Hi,

I was contemplating between Cuba and DR and finally settled on Cuba on the account of the girls.

Anyone been to a good all inclusive where they got good action? Going with some buddies and definitely open to heading out into town. Please advice. PM is welcome too.

Read up on my posts and others.

[Tank Not Mt]

I arrive in Havana next week and I'll have WiFi access, is this site blocked or is it acceptable in Havana? Thanks.

Site is not blocked.

[Fake Nick]

Hi,

I was contemplating between Cuba and DR and finally settled on Cuba on the account of the girls.

Anyone been to a good all inclusive where they got good action? Going with some buddies and definitely open to heading out into town. Please advice. PM is welcome too.

Veradero many have all inclusive, but is not girl friendly. I would go to DR for women.

[Jazzy Daddy]

I arrive in Havana next week and I'll have WiFi access, is this site blocked or is it acceptable in Havana? Thanks.

[Siva86]

Hi,

I was contemplating between Cuba and DR and finally settled on Cuba on the account of the girls.

Anyone been to a good all inclusive where they got good action? Going with some buddies and definitely open to heading out into town. Please advice. PM is welcome too.

[Mondo707]

I always rent a car when I go to Cuba and have seen the news lately about acute fuel shortages and line ups around the block for fuel. Going for a week next month. I am used to the gas stations closing temporarily due to lack of fuel in the past but it was never a major issue. I have driven the entire island top to bottom, East to West and love it. Getting on those Russian built highways and putting the pedal down! The police don't monitor the roads for speed outside Havana (what Cuban car can go 130 km / HR +? You just have to watch out for the cow, tractor or pedestrian.

I was wondering if anybody else has rented a car there lately and what the experience is like? Is there gas at the regular stations in Varadero, Cardenas, Havana etc?

Hey Free,

Here's is a link from Lonely Planet blog about recent developments in Cuba.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree********americas-cuba/cuba/cuba-s-recent-fuel-shortage-problems-for-tourist

Mondo.

p.s. Seems weird but the asterisks will not print! tried to write it down and it goes automatically to asterisks again which won't take you to the link . So, just Google it with a search related to this or go to Lonely Planet site.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com › Thorn Tree › Country forums › Cuba

[Free2]

I always rent a car when I go to Cuba and have seen the news lately about acute fuel shortages and line ups around the block for fuel. Going for a week next month. I am used to the gas stations closing temporarily due to lack of fuel in the past but it was never a major issue. I have driven the entire island top to bottom, East to West and love it. Getting on those Russian built highways and putting the pedal down! The police don't monitor the roads for speed outside Havana (what Cuban car can go 130 km / HR +? You just have to watch out for the cow, tractor or pedestrian.

I was wondering if anybody else has rented a car there lately and what the experience is like? Is there gas at the regular stations in Varadero, Cardenas, Havana etc?

[CherryPoprGang]

You cannot receive PM unless you pay subscription or participate in the forum (report count plus days). That said, Cuba is unique. If you want to explore for tourism purpose, it is an eye opening. If you are looking for sex, I would recommend elsewhere (like Bogota Colombia).

Thanks for the clarification on PM's.

I'm surprised you don't recommend Cuba for mongering. Seems like it has lots of potential, from what I've gathered.

What are some reasons that you don't recommend Cuba?

Conversely, why Colombia?

[Bleble]

Can someone on the ground or recently returned PM me some current advise on the mood in the city and any current hot spots I should visit? Thanks in advance!

Steve, would you mind messaging me too? (I'm a new member so I don't think I can PM yet) but I'm strongly considering Cuba and would like to hear recent info about the above.

Lmk thanks!

You cannot receive PM unless you pay subscription or participate in the forum (report count plus days). That said, Cuba is unique. If you want to explore for tourism purpose, it is an eye opening. If you are looking for sex, I would recommend elsewhere (like Bogota Colombia).